The main signs of bed bugs are dark spots, small blood smears, shed skins, eggs and live bugs, often in cracks near the bed. To inspect for bed bugs, search slowly with a torch and a stiff card, starting at the mattress and moving outwards. This guide explains what to look for and where.
What bed bugs and their traces look like
The BPCA, the trade body for pest controllers, says adult bed bugs are wingless brown discs up to 6mm long. They are flat when unfed, while they look rounder after a meal. Young bugs are far smaller, so they are easy to miss without good light.
Because the bugs hide, you will often spot their traces first. The signs fall into a few groups:
- Dark spots, which are bug droppings, on seams, bedding and walls.
- Small blood smears on sheets or pillowcases.
- Pale, empty skins that young bugs shed as they grow.
- Tiny eggs in cracks and folds.
- Live bugs, which you will see less often.
One sign alone is not proof. However, two or more together make bed bugs very likely. If you only have itchy marks so far, read our guide on whether bites point to bed bugs first.
Why a thorough search matters
An early find makes everything easier. A small group of bugs in one room is simpler to treat than a spread through a whole home, because fewer rooms need work. Also, finding the real extent tells a professional how much work to plan. That affects the method and the number of visits.
A rushed search can mislead you in both directions. You may decide there is no problem when bugs are hiding in a socket. Or you may blame bed bugs for marks that have another cause. A careful routine avoids both mistakes and gives you facts to act on.
Where to look first: the bed
Start where you sleep, because bed bugs feed on people at night and stay close. Strip the bed completely. Then check the mattress seams, piping and labels, and look underneath at the base.
Next, move to the frame. Check every joint, slat and screw hole, and then look behind and inside the headboard. Go slowly, because wooden frames offer many cracks. Soft furnishings next to the bed, such as a bedside chair, deserve the same attention.
Hiding places beyond the mattress
Bed bugs do not stay in the bed once numbers build. Because the BPCA notes they can shelter in a wide range of narrow spaces, widen your search to the whole room.
Check these places:
- Skirting boards and the gaps where they meet the floor.
- Loose or peeling wallpaper, especially behind the bed.
- Picture frames and wall hangings near the bed.
- Plug sockets and the edges of switch plates.
- Curtain folds, rug edges and the seams of sofas.
- Books, clutter and boxes stored under the bed.
Clutter gives bugs more places to hide. It also makes any later treatment harder, so clearing it helps. Our page on how to prepare for a visit lists what a pest controller will usually need from you.
A simple torch-and-card routine
You do not need special kit. A bright torch and a stiff card, such as an old bank card, are enough. Follow these steps:
- Switch off the room light and use the torch at a low angle to cast shadows.
- Run the card along each seam and crack to flush out anything inside.
- Work from the bed outwards, one piece of furniture at a time.
- Tap or shake loose items over a white sheet to show any bugs.
- Note each finding, then photograph it with a coin for scale.
Take your time, because rushing is how people miss early signs. Repeat the check on two or three different nights. Bed bugs are active in the dark, so evening checks can show more.
How bed bugs get into a home
Most homes get bed bugs from outside. The NHS and the BPCA both say the insects travel in luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture. They can also arrive from a neighbouring flat. So a recent holiday, a visitor or a newly bought sofa is worth thinking about as you search.
Knowing the likely route helps you decide where to look next. For example, if you came back from a trip, check the suitcase and the bags you carried. Likewise, check any second-hand furniture before you bring it indoors.
How long to keep checking
One clear night is not enough to rule bed bugs out. The BPCA says they can live for up to a year without feeding, so a quiet room does not mean a clear room. Early stages are also tiny, which means a first check may find nothing.
If you see no signs but the bites continue, keep a short diary of new marks. Check again over the next week or two. If you still cannot find the cause, ask a trained person to look, because an inspection can reach places you cannot.
Rooms other than the bedroom
The bedroom is the usual centre, but it is not the only room at risk. Bugs follow people, so they can settle wherever someone sits or sleeps for long periods. A sofa bed, a spare room or a child’s bed can all become a base.
Check upholstered chairs and sofas along their seams and under the cushions. Look at the underside of furniture and at the edges of carpets. Then check any bags or boxes that sit close to a bed. Because the insects prefer tight, dark gaps, narrow spaces deserve more of your time than open surfaces.
Mistakes that hide the evidence
A few well-meant habits make signs harder to find. For example, washing everything before you look removes the spots and skins that would confirm the problem. Spraying also scatters the bugs, so you may stop seeing them without solving anything.
So look first, and clean afterwards. Take photos before you change anything. That record is useful if you speak to a pest controller, a landlord or a letting agent, and it shows exactly what you saw and when.
What to do if you find signs
First, stay calm and avoid spraying everything. The BPCA warns that amateur products can push bugs into other rooms or neighbouring homes. Our guide to DIY bed bug treatment and what backfires explains the risks. Meanwhile, you can wash bedding and clothes at 60C, as the NHS suggests.
Then bring in a professional. A good firm inspects first, then chooses a method. You can read how bed bug heat treatment works and what to expect after treatment. Our guide to what an inspection involves shows what a visit looks like.
Remember that this search is a first step, not a verdict. Trained inspectors know the usual hiding places and carry good lighting. So if you feel unsure, a professional check can settle the question. It also costs less in worry than weeks of guessing.
If you share walls with neighbours
Bed bugs move between homes, so your search should not stop at your own door. The BPCA says they can move from one room to another, and that an infestation may come from a neighbouring property in a multi-occupancy building. In a block of flats, a source may sit above, below or beside you. Our guide to bed bugs in flats and shared buildings explains how neighbours matter.
Report what you find promptly if you rent. Our article on who pays when tenants find bed bugs covers the steps to take. You may also want to know whether your council treats bed bugs, because provision differs between areas.
Local help in your area
Local council advice varies a lot. For example, you can read what the council says in the Manchester area guide, the Sheffield council guide and bed bug help in Bristol. Each page links to the council’s own pest control page.
If your check shows signs and you want help, request help through the form on this site. Say which rooms you searched and what you found. Please leave out any payment details.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of bed bugs?
Look for dark spots on bedding and mattress seams, small blood smears on sheets, pale shed skins and live bugs. Adults are wingless, brown and up to 6mm long. Early stages are tiny and hard to see.
Where do bed bugs hide apart from the mattress?
They hide in cracks and crevices close to where people sleep. Common spots include the bed frame, headboard, skirting boards, loose wallpaper, picture frames and plug sockets. Search a wider area than the bed alone.
How do I check for bed bugs with a torch?
Use a bright torch and a stiff card to probe seams, joints and cracks. Work slowly from the bed outwards, and look for bugs, droppings, skins and eggs. Repeat the check on a few different nights.
Can I be sure there are no bed bugs if I find nothing?
Not always. Bed bugs can live for up to a year without feeding, and young bugs are tiny. If bites continue, ask a professional to carry out an inspection.